About Us

Our solicitors and staff are multicultural. We thrive and are proud of our diversity which is reflected in our clientele and our areas of expertise.

Our senior partner and founder of Douglass Simon, Ms Lira Simon Cabatbat has over 25 years legal experience. She specialises in all aspects of Immigration, Human Rights and Family law. Ms Cabatbat is renowned for her tenacious and frank advice; this is reflected in her success rate in Immigration Tribunals, Judicial Review and High Court cases. She has in-depth knowledge of Human Rights law and this has been widely acknowledged by the judiciary. Her media work includes television, and writing articles published in national and local news. Ms Cabatbat is a Resolution (Family law) panel member advising in Domestic Violence. She has a wealth of experience in family and matrimonial cases particularly those with international elements. Ms Cabatbat is fluent in Tagalog (Filipino language) and is familiar with the Philippine legal system.

Our London office is headed by Mr Harry Khan who joined Douglass Simon in 2006. After completion of his training in 2008 he launched the London office. Mr Khan was made Partner in 2014 and has led the way in establishing our Earls Court office as a reputable and leading London branch. His detail orientated approach coupled with his extensive legal knowledge makes him a formidable lawyer able to handle complex and challenging cases. Mr Khan has over a decade of experience in the fields of Immigration, Employment, Wills and Probate. He regularly provides training in his areas of expertise and further complements his skills with writing articles for national publications. He is fluent in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

Mr Davide Riccardi’s academic achievements include a first class degree equivalent in Politics and International Relations from the L’Orientale University in Naples, Italy. More recently he received a commendation upon completion of his Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law in Guildford. Mr Riccardi gained international experience with the British Consulate in Naples (Italy) and the Italian Embassy in Libya. He is a fluent Italian speaker.

After graduating from Durham University in 2007, Ms Annah Cheatham worked in the City of London for various financial institutions before discovering a latent passion for the law. Ms Cheatham was called to the bar in 2014 and subsequently qualified as a solicitor. She obtained her master’s degree in law (LL.M) and is also a qualified mediator. Ms Cheatham trained in criminal defence and matrimonial law and has spent a great deal of time in the Crown Court and the High Court representing clients in both private and publicly funded matters. Ms Cheatham has a natural flair for matrimonial law and fiercely protects her clients interests as she guides them through proceedings. A skilled advocate, known for her client care and personalised approach to each case, Ms Cheatham works tirelessly to improve the lives of those she represents. Ms Cheatham has dual UK and US citizenship and grew up in Tokyo leaving her well placed to understand the nuanced approach demanded of international work. Ms Cheatham in a member of Resolution and the Inns of Court in London (Middle Temple) She speaks conversational French and in her spare time, volunteers for a charitable organisation called Rights of Women where she offers free and confidential legal advice.

Our associations include German lawyers and more recently we expanded our offices by establishing a presence in Taguig Metro Manila Philippines, close to the British Embassy, where we specialise in providing Immigration services for those considering entry to the United Kingdom. We have long standing relationships with highly qualified and experienced barristers with a proven track record of getting results.

We are contracted by the Legal Aid Agency to provide Legal Aid work in Family law to cover all aspects including Care Proceedings, Injunctions, Occupation Orders and Financial relief.

In our twenty years of practice it has been our privilege to assist individuals and corporations. We are honoured to have reunited families, protected clients’ rights and liberties and helped businesses expand and prosper.

Late opening at our Richmond office:

Appointments are available outside the usual working hours at our Richmond office on Thursdays between 5 to 7pm. Please call us on 020 3375 0555 to book an appointment.

Designated Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Digney on an application for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal on a complicated asylum matter

“As this arguable error of law has been identified [by the appellant’s representative] all the issues raised in the grounds are arguable.”

First-tier Tribunal Judge Osborne in a decision granting permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal as to whether ‘time’ can be a legitimate aim to a proportionality assessment under Article 8(2) of the ECHR

“As [the] grounds make clear…”

Upper Tribunal Judge Eshun in agreeing with our Grounds for Permission to Appeal and granting permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal by finding that the First-tier Tribunal made an error in its approach and interpretation of the EEA (Immigration) Regulations 2006

“In light of the detailed submissions in the skeleton argument upon which I indicated that my preliminary view was favourable…”

Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Roopnarine-Davies in allowing an appeal on a legal point of construction in respect of the Domestic Worker Rules and Statement of Changes HC628;

“The notice of appeal was accompanied by detailed submissions by the Appellant’s solicitors which I have read… I agree with [their] analysis…”

First-tier Tribunal Judge S J Widdup allowing an appeal in respect of an EEA appeal under the Imm. (EEA) Regulations 2006 and the Secretary of State’s duties on the approach to evidence of exercising Treaty Rights

“The claim [presented by the claimant’s solicitors]…is arguable…based on errors of law and/or reasoning.”

“The Respondent did not have the power to dispose of an application in such a way. Returning documents

Referring to (and agreeing) with our submissions in the Grounds of Appeal (and described orally in proceedings as “innovative”) that the Home Office practice of administratively returning EEA applications on account of insufficient evidence but falling short of making an “EEA decision” in order to bypass the right of appeal in Regulation 26 of the EEA (Imm) Regulations 2006, is unlawful (ultra vires).

“The grounds [submitted by Douglass Simon Solicitors] complain, arguably rightly, that the respondent’s decision to refuse the application and her daughter leave to remain h

Referring to detailed Grounds of Claim on a Judicial Review involving considerations of the child’s best interests under section 55 of the BCIA 2009 Upper Tribunal Judge Perkins considering Grounds of Claim on the papers in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review

“…a series of energetic submissions made…”

On oral submissions made at a hearing by reference to grounds of application Upper Tribunal Judge Peter Lane in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review (renewal hearing)

“The applications were submitted with detailed representations and submissions.”

and

“The notices of appeal are supported by grounds which run to 30

Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Hanley sitting in the First-tier Tribunal allowing an appeal which involved human rights factors arising from shortages in the care industry and the historical wrong of operating a system (a Shortage Occupation List) which was ultra vires under section 3(5) of the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended)

“…a good arguable [claim] for both claimants is revealed.”

HH Judge Anthony Thornton QC sitting as a judge in the High Court (Administrative Court) in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review

“The representations went on to weave a rich tapestry of argument, ranging from Aristotle to Lord Mersey, to the effect that there was space for the application to succeed wit

Immigration Judge M Symes in the First-tier Tribunal in allowing an Appeal which involved consideration of Paragraph EX.1 of Appendix FM, Human Rights and other discretionary factors.

“…very detailed, addressing each point of the Refusal in turn….a key ingredient in the amended grounds of appeal is that the Appellant is treated as a member of [the emplo

First-tier Tirbunal Judge R Sullivan in allowing an appeal on the papers following written submissions which applied the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Nambalat v Taher & Anor [2012] amongst other references to the case-law and policy

“I hope I do Mr. Sowerby’s [Barrister] submissions no disservice if I say that they did not materially add to the detailed and helpful grounds of appeal [prepared by instruc

Upper Tribunal Judge Moulden on an appeal which involved consideration of the Home Office’s policy on ‘evidential flexibility’

“If [the facts] are as asserted [by the appellant’s solicitors]…it is arguable that the decision was infected by a serious want of fairness”

Lord Justice Laws in the Court of Appeal granting permission pursuant to the second appeals test under Upper Tribunal Order 2008 (SI 2008/2834)

“It is the most learned pleading I have ever seen….it is a very serious document.”

Immigration Judge Blake in the First-tier Tribunal on grounds of appeal submitted in relation to Articles 8, 6 and 12 of the ECHR

“….the detailed grounds of claim…display a good knowledge of human rights and immigration law….”

On an application for Judicial Review before the Administrative Court - Mr. Justice Mitting in the Administrative Court

“In well crafted grounds of appeal prepared by the appellant’s solicitors [Douglass Simon]….the representatives were alert to the substitution of that paragraph by

Immigration Judge M. B. Hussain in the First-tier Tribunal

“The…evidence [provided by the appellant’s representative] is most comprehensive….it is carefully set out…”

Immigration Judge JR Devittie in the First-tier Tribunal

“I find that the reasons given by the respondent for refusing the appellant’s application lack any substance and that the same have been adequately and satisfactoril

Immigration Judge Pedro in the First-tier Tribunal

“Detailed grounds of appeal were prepared amounting to 14 pages of the appellant’s bundle….an attempt to explain how this could be made in an entirely innocent way

Immigration Judge Ferguson in the First-tier Tribunal

In dismissing an appeal by the Secretary of State in the Upper Tribunal “….as clear as day that these grounds [by the Secretary of State] are misconceived and should not

Upper Tribunal Judge Kopieczek

“The Appellant’s solicitors have set out at some length and with great force the arguments and the law….I agree with [them]…”

Immigration Judge Graham Campbell in the First-tier Tribunal

In allowing an appeal on a Tier 2 Points Based System matter “….Grounds of Appeal submitted on his behalf by his solicitors, Douglass Simon…are set out over thirteen p

Immigration Judge Sharp of the First-tier Tribunal

“There is…a detailed review of the law…in some considerable detail…”

Immigration Judge Sharp of the First-tier Tribunal

“It is also clear from the case-law in relation to the CCOL…to which Douglass Simon referred in the covering letter to the application that the mere obtaining of the CCO

Judge Randall of the First-tier Tribunal

“The appellant’s solicitors have submitted Grounds of Appeal. It is very detailed…the relevant parts are indeed very illuminating.”

Judge NMK Lawrence of the Firs-tier Tribunal in relation to the policy classification of "graduate level" jobs within Tier 2 of the PBS

“The [well-written] lengthy grounds seeking permission to appeal challenged the interpretation of the Rules and the Article 8 findings on 5 separate grounds.”

Upper Tribunal Judge Coker

“The grounds …are well argued and argue, inter alia, that Shahzad (s85A: commencement) [2012] UKUT 81 (IAC) applies. That may well be so…All grounds may be argued.R